[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 43 (Monday, March 8, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 13157-13159]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-03478]



[[Page 13157]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2020-0811; Product Identifier 2019-CE-055-AD; Amendment 
39-21431; AD 2021-04-10]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Textron Aviation, Inc. Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Textron Aviation Inc. (Textron) (type certificate previously 
held by Cessna Aircraft Company) Models 208 and 208B airplanes. This AD 
was prompted by reports of loose elevator torque tube attach fasteners. 
This AD requires repetitively inspecting the inboard and outboard 
elevator torque tube attachments for loose or incorrectly installed 
fasteners, replacing all fasteners if loose or incorrectly installed 
fasteners are found, and reporting the inspection results to the FAA. 
This AD also includes optional actions to terminate the repetitive 
inspections. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition 
on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective April 12, 2021.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of April 12, 
2021.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact Textron Aviation Inc., One Cessna Boulevard, Wichita, KS 67215; 
phone: 316-517-5800; email: teamturbopropsupport@txtav.com; website: 
https://support.cessna.com. You may view this service information at 
the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 901 
Locust St., Kansas City, MO 64106. For information on the availability 
of this material at the FAA, call 816-329-4148. It is also available at 
https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. 
FAA-2020-0811.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-0811; or in person at 
Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this final rule, any 
comments received, and other information. The address for Docket 
Operations is U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-
30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue 
SE, Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bobbie Kroetch, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, Wichita ACO Branch, FAA, 1801 Airport Road, Wichita, KS 
67209; phone: 316-946-4155; fax: 316-946-4107; email: 
bobbie.kroetch@faa.gov or 4a1d232922233e2b670905190a2c2b2b642d253c.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain Textron (type 
certificate previously held by Cessna Aircraft Company) Models 208 and 
208B airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on September 
22, 2020 (85 FR 59457). The NPRM was prompted by reports of loose 
elevator torque tube attach fasteners on low flight time Textron Model 
208B airplanes. Textron identified a quality escape affecting certain 
serial-numbered Model 208 and 208B airplanes. Fastener holes in the 
inboard and outboard elevator torque tube connections may have been 
oversized and fasteners at the inboard and outboard torque tube 
connections may have been installed incorrectly.
    In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require repetitively inspecting 
the inboard and outboard elevator torque tube attachments for loose or 
incorrectly installed fasteners, replacing all fasteners if loose or 
incorrectly installed fasteners are found, and reporting the inspection 
results to the FAA. The NPRM also proposed optional actions to 
terminate the repetitive inspections. This condition, if not addressed, 
could result in failure of the elevator torque tube fasteners, leading 
to loss of elevator control and loss of controlled flight. The FAA is 
issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of 
the costs.

Conclusion

    The FAA reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety 
requires adopting this AD as proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing 
this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. This AD is 
adopted as proposed in the NPRM.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed Task 27-30-00-290, Left and Right Elevator Torque 
Tube Attach Points (Borescope) Special Detailed Inspection, dated 
October 1, 2018, of the Cessna Model 208 Maintenance Manual (Task 27-
30-00-290). This service information contains procedures for performing 
a detailed borescope inspection of the left and right elevator torque 
tube attach points. This service information is reasonably available 
because the interested parties have access to it through their normal 
course of business or by the means identified in ADDRESSES.

Other Related Service Information

    The FAA also reviewed Textron Aviation Mandatory Caravan Service 
Bulletin CAB-27-06, dated October 14, 2019 (CAB-27-06). This service 
information contains instructions for visually inspecting the left and 
right elevator torque tube attach points for the presence of loose 
rivets and replacing loose or incorrectly installed rivets.

Differences Between This AD and the Service Information

    Task 27-30-00-290 only specifies replacing loose fasteners. This AD 
requires replacement of all 48 fasteners if any single inboard or 
outboard elevator torque tube attach fastener is found loose or 
incorrectly installed. The FAA determined based on field evidence that 
identification of one loose fastener often indicates other fasteners 
may be affected.
    CAB-27-06, which is not incorporated by reference in this AD, 
specifies performing an initial inspection within 800 flight hours or 
12 months from date of receipt, whichever occurs first. This AD 
requires an initial inspection before the airplane accumulates 800 
hours time-in-service (TIS) or within 200 hours TIS after the AD 
effectivity date, whichever occurs later.
    CAB-27-06 also specifies, without sufficient data, that an 
inspection is not required for airplanes that have reached 4,000 hours. 
The FAA determined an inspection of high-time airplanes is necessary to 
verify whether these airplanes are affected. This AD requires a one-
time visual inspection for airplanes that have already accumulated 
4,000 hours TIS.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 232 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.

[[Page 13158]]

    The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                 Cost on  U.S.
             Action                  Labor cost           Parts cost         Cost per product      operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection.....................  1 work-hour x $85  Not applicable........  $85 per            $19,720 per
                                  per hour = $85.                            inspection cycle.  inspection
                                                                                                cycle.
Reporting Requirement..........  1 work-hour x $85  Not applicable........  $85 per report...  $19,720 per
                                  per hour = $85.                                               report.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary 
replacements that would be required based on the results of the 
inspection. The FAA has no way of determining the number of airplanes 
that might need these replacements:

                                               On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Cost per
                    Action                                 Labor cost               Parts cost        product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fastener Replacement: All 48 Fasteners........  16 work-hours x $85 per hour =               $10          $1,370
                                                 $1,360.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA has included all known costs in its cost estimate. 
According to the manufacturer, however, some of the costs of this AD 
may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on 
affected operators.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    A federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not 
required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a penalty for 
failure to comply with a collection of information subject to the 
requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of 
information displays a currently valid OMB Control Number. The OMB 
Control Number for this information collection is 2120-0056. Public 
reporting for this collection of information is estimated to take 
approximately 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing 
instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and 
maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the 
collection of information. All responses to this collection of 
information are mandatory. Send comments regarding this burden estimate 
or any other aspect of this collection of information, including 
suggestions for reducing this burden to: Information Collection 
Clearance Officer, Federal Aviation Administration, 10101 Hillwood 
Parkway, Fort Worth, TX 76177-1524.

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII: Aviation Programs, 
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
    The FAA is issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: General requirements. 
Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with promoting safe flight 
of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing regulations for 
practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator finds necessary 
for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within the scope of that 
authority because it addresses an unsafe condition that is likely to 
exist or develop on products identified in this rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    This AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order 
13132. This AD will not have a substantial direct effect on the States, 
on the relationship between the national government and the States, or 
on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various 
levels of government.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866,
    (2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (3) Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or 
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria 
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

The Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

0
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive:

2021-04-10 Textron Aviation, Inc. (Type Certificate Previously Held 
by Cessna Aircraft Company): Amendment 39-21431; Docket No. FAA-
2020-0811; Product Identifier 2019-CE-055-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective April 12, 2021.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Textron Aviation Inc. (Textron) (type 
certificate previously held by Cessna Aircraft Company) Model 208 
airplanes, serial numbers 20800564 through 20800594 and 20800603 
through 20800605; and Model 208B airplanes, serial numbers 208B5141 
through 208B5285, 208B5287 through 208B5305, 208B5307 through 
208B5312, 208B5314, 208B5316 through

[[Page 13159]]

208B5344, 208B5346 through 208B5350, 208B5353, 208B5354, 208B5356 
through 208B5359, 208B5362 through 208B5366, 208B5401, 208B5403, 
208B5404, and 208B5408; certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code: 5520, Elevator 
Structure.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of loose elevator torque tube 
attach fasteners. The FAA is issuing this AD to detect and correct 
loosening and eventual failure of the elevator torque tube attach 
fasteners. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in 
loss of elevator control, resulting in loss of control of the 
airplane.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Inspection and Fastener Replacement

    (1) At the following compliance times, inspect each inboard and 
outboard elevator torque tube attach fastener for looseness and 
fretting by following sections 2.C. and 2.D. of Task 27-30-00-290, 
Left and Right Elevator Torque Tube Attach Points (Borescope) 
Special Detailed Inspection, dated October 1, 2018, of the Cessna 
Model 208 Maintenance Manual. You must also inspect for incorrectly 
installed fasteners.
    (i) For airplanes that have accumulated less than 800 hours 
time-in-service (TIS) as of the effective date of this AD, complete 
the initial inspection before the airplane accumulates 800 hours TIS 
or within 200 hours TIS after the effective date of the AD, 
whichever occurs later. Thereafter, repeat the visual inspection at 
intervals not to exceed 200 hours TIS until the airplane has 
accumulated 4,000 hours TIS or until all 48 elevator torque tube 
attach fasteners are replaced, whichever occurs first.
    (ii) For airplanes that have accumulated 800 or more hours TIS 
but less than 4,000 hours TIS as of the effective date of this AD, 
complete the initial inspection within 200 hours TIS after the 
effective date of the AD. Thereafter, repeat the visual inspection 
at intervals not to exceed 200 hours TIS until the airplane has 
accumulated 4,000 hours TIS or until all 48 elevator torque tube 
attach fasteners are replaced, whichever occurs first.
    (iii) For airplanes that have accumulated 4,000 or more hours 
TIS as of the effective date of this AD, complete a one-time visual 
inspection within 200 hours TIS after the effective date of the AD. 
No repetitive inspections are required after completion of the one-
time visual inspection.
    (2) If there are any loose, fretting, or incorrectly installed 
fasteners, remove the elevator and replace all 48 elevator torque 
tube attach fasteners (24 per side, with 12 each on the inboard and 
outboard elevator torque tube attach point) before further flight. 
Maintain proper alignment by marking each part prior to removal and 
by replacing one fastener at a time. Replacing all 48 fasteners is 
terminating action for the repetitive inspections required by 
paragraphs (g)(1)(i) and (ii) of this AD.
    (3) If all 48 fasteners were replaced before the effective date 
of this AD by following the instructions in paragraph (g)(2) of this 
AD, then the initial and recurring inspections detailed in paragraph 
(g)(1) of this AD are not required provided you report the 
information required by paragraph (h) of this AD.

(h) Reporting Requirement

    Within 30 days after doing the initial inspection (regardless if 
loose, fretting, or incorrectly installed fasteners were found) or 
within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs 
later, and then within 30 days after each inspection where loose, 
fretting, or incorrectly installed fasteners were found, report the 
following information to the FAA at Wichita-COS@faa.gov:
    (1) Name and address of owner.
    (2) Date of the inspection.
    (3) Name, address, phone number, and email address of person 
submitting the report.
    (4) Airplane serial number, registration number, and total hours 
TIS on the airplane at the time of the inspection.
    (5) If an earlier inspection identified loose, fretting, or 
incorrectly installed fasteners, identify the hours TIS on the 
airplane and which fasteners were replaced, if known, or if all 
fasteners were replaced.
    (6) If loose, fretting, or incorrectly installed fasteners were 
found, detailed information including a sketch or picture showing 
the location of the loose, fretting, or incorrectly installed 
fasteners and identification of any installed supplemental type 
certificates (STCs), alterations, repairs, or field approvals 
affecting the area of concern.

(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Wichita ACO Branch, FAA, has the authority to 
approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found 
in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request 
to your principal inspector or local Flight Standards District 
Office, as appropriate. If sending information directly to the 
manager of the certification office, send it to the attention of the 
person identified in the Related Information section of this AD.
    (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate 
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager 
of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding 
district office.

(j) Related Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Bobbie Kroetch, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, Wichita ACO Branch, FAA, 1801 Airport 
Road, Wichita, KS 67209; phone: 316-946-4155; fax: 316-946-4107; 
email: bobbie.kroetch@faa.gov or 9dcaf4fef5f4e9fcb0ded2ceddfbfcfcb3faf2eb.

(k) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed 
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Task 27-30-00-290, Left and Right Elevator Torque Tube 
Attach Points (Borescope) Special Detailed Inspection, dated October 
1, 2018, of the Cessna Model 208 Maintenance Manual.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For Textron Aviation, Inc. service information identified in 
this AD, contact Textron Aviation Inc., One Cessna Boulevard, 
Wichita, KS 67215; phone: 316-517-5800; email: 
teamturbopropsupport@txtav.com; website: https://support.cessna.com.
    (4) You may view this service information at FAA, Airworthiness 
Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 901 Locust St., Kansas 
City, MO 64106. For information on the availability of this material 
at the FAA, call 816-329-4148.
    (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated 
by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration 
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at 
NARA, email: fedreg.legal@nara.gov, or go to: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued on February 8, 2021.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-03478 Filed 3-5-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P


